Whiffing

Whiffing is simply a swing and a miss like a strike in baseball. It is the most penalizing shot second to hitting out of bounds because the player didn't advance the ball at all and has to hit again. While whiffing is common among beginners, it can happen to anyone especially with an awkward lie.

Whiffing Tips

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Don't Practice Swinging at Air
Don't practice swinging at air. You will get really good at it! Practice hitting something...the ground. When you are on the driving range try taking a divot and then start your next swing at the front of that divot and take another one going forward. Pretty soon you will have made a nice straight line of divots across the range. The superintendent will love you! This way, you will get comfortable with hitting the ground on every swing and hitting it at the right spot; in front of where the ball lies.

Don't practice swinging at air. You will get really good at it! Practice hitting something...the ground. When you are on the driving range try taking a divot and then start your next swing at the front of that divot and take another one going forward. Pretty soon you will have made a nice straight line of divots across the range. The superintendent will love you! This way, you will get comfortable with hitting the ground on every swing and hitting it at the right spot; in front of where the ball lies.

Keep Your Rear End Out
Keep your rear end out and back to help keep you down through the shot. When your rear end comes in it forces your spine to straighten up. This is called a pelvic push or early extension. The result is usually a topped shot, thin shot or a push. When your rear end stays out, it helps you to maintain the posture that you established at address. This is critical for making pure and consistent contact.

Keep your rear end out and back to help keep you down through the shot. When your rear end comes in it forces your spine to straighten up. This is called a pelvic push or early extension. The result is usually a topped shot, thin shot or a push. When your rear end stays out, it helps you to maintain the posture that you established at address. This is critical for making pure and consistent contact.

Make Sure to Hit the Ground With Practice Swings
Practice hitting the ground without a ball. Swing down and take a divot about the size of a dollar bill. If you hit the ground, then hit your shot. If you don't make contact with the ground keep trying to take a divot on your practice swing until you get one. Don't hold up play though!

Practice hitting the ground without a ball. Swing down and take a divot about the size of a dollar bill. If you hit the ground, then hit your shot. If you don't make contact with the ground keep trying to take a divot on your practice swing until you get one. Don't hold up play though!

Keep Your Cheek Parallel to the Ground After Impact
To learn to stay down try watching the ball fly with your right cheek still facing the ground (for a right hander). This will help you retain your posture and keep your spine tilted forward throughout the swing. Skilled ball strikers will stay in this position all the way until the very end of the swing. If you find yourself watching your ball fly by standing up straight with your shoulders level to the ground, chances are you are coming out of the shot too soon.

To learn to stay down try watching the ball fly with your right cheek still facing the ground (for a right hander). This will help you retain your posture and keep your spine tilted forward throughout the swing. Skilled ball strikers will stay in this position all the way until the very end of the swing. If you find yourself watching your ball fly by standing up straight with your shoulders level to the ground, chances are you are coming out of the shot too soon.

Extend Your Arms Through Impact
To make sure your arms aren't getting shorter through impact, try extending them through the shot and making them longer as you hit the ball. After impact they should be fully stretched out. It is important to keep rotating and pivoting through the shot so that your arms have room to extend. If you stop your pivot your body will get in your way and your arms will buckle.

To make sure your arms aren't getting shorter through impact, try extending them through the shot and making them longer as you hit the ball. After impact they should be fully stretched out. It is important to keep rotating and pivoting through the shot so that your arms have room to extend. If you stop your pivot your body will get in your way and your arms will buckle.